 
On Patriot Day, we honor the lives lost to the attacks on September 11, 2001. May we never forget their courage and sacrifice on this day of remembrance. |
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 Veterans:
If you're in need of assistance due to the surrounding wildfires, directly contact your VA Social Worker at 562-826-8000 ext. 12020.
Additional Resources:
California Department of Social Services
American Red Cross
Latest updates on fires
Outpatient Pharmacy will now be open on Saturdays starting September 18, 2024.
New Pharmacy Hours:
Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (not a.m., as previously stated)
Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Closed from 1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. for lunch
Closed Sunday and holidays
 VA Long Beach Healthcare System was recently listed among 10 other hospitals with a "Lowest Heart Failure Death Rate" in an article from Becker's Hospital Review. Great job VA Long Beach!
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VA Long Beach Healthcare System proudly offers Audiology services at our Laguna Hills VA Clinic location.
Scheduled Appointments Only - call 562-826-5414
 We are currently experiencing a significant volume of VSO appointment requests and are diligently working to respond to all calls and emails received.
Effective September 23, appointments can only be scheduled via phone. Call (562) 826-8713 for an appointment.
Visits with local VSOs can still be scheduled through the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) and online. Call 1-800-827-1000 to schedule local non-VA Long Beach VSOs through VBA.
You may also schedule a VSO appointment online using the following resources:
VBA Appointment Scheduler
California Association of County Veterans Service Officers
OC Veterans Service Office
 VA Long Beach made their return to the 38th National Veterans Golden Age Games in Salt Lake City, Utah for the first time since 2019. From August 24 – 29, Veterans from 92 VA’s across the nation met in Salt Lake City to compete in various sports. The Long Beach Sharks were composed of five Veteran athletes who represented VA Long Beach and were amongst the 826 total Veteran athletes who competed and were supported by nearly 2,0000 volunteers. The team took part in the ambulatory and wheelchair divisions and returned to California with four golds, one silver and three bronze medals. The Long Beach Sharks are already on the hunt for more medals, as they prepare for next year’s games in Memphis, Tennessee.
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National Kinesiotherapy (KT) Week is September 9 - 13, 2024
KT is the application of scientifically based exercise principles adapted to enhance the strength, endurance, coordination, range of motion and mobility of individuals with functional limitations or those requiring extended physical conditioning. KT (formerly corrective therapy) is an allied health profession whose roots can be traced back to 1943.
During World War II, corrective physical reconditioning units were established to accelerate the return of troops to active duty following injury, and as a result, corrective therapists, became a part of the U.S. Armed Forces' rehabilitation effort employing exercise and mobility programming. In 1946, corrective therapy became a part of the rehabilitation process for hospitalized Veterans within the Veterans Health Administration.
In 1987, corrective therapy was renamed kinesiotherapy to better represent its role as a provider of therapeutic exercise, and the national organization became known as the American Kinesiotherapy Association.
Today, Kinesiotherapists at VA Long Beach serve in various specialty areas such as: driver training, home based primary care, wheelchair seating and positioning, geriatric care, spinal cord injury, employee wellness, and ergonomic assessments. Within the past few years, the KT department has been busy at work developing new group programs and finding ways to reduce barriers of access to better serve the Veteran population. We look forward to telling you more about these exciting programs at our information table.
Please stop by to find out more! Celebrate with us!
Check out more information on VA Kinesiotherapy, Also, contact your local VA KT Department within Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Services to inquire about available services or additional information regarding “National KT Week” events at your local VA medical center.
 Veterans, your feedback through the Press Ganey surveys is crucial in helping VA Long Beach Health Care System improve the quality of care and services you receive. By taking a few minutes to share your experiences, you ensure that your voice is heard and make a real difference in shaping future experiences for all Veterans.
2024-2025 Flu Shot and COVID Vaccine Information
Flu vaccines are available for enrolled Veterans at VA Long Beach in all clinics and Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs).
Standard dose and high dose flu vaccines are available.
COVID vaccines
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Beginning Tuesday 9/17/2024, COVID-19 vaccines will be available at the following areas:
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Long Beach: Vaccination Center, Primary Care, Spinal Cord Injury, and Specialty Clinic
- All Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) will have a limited supply of COVID vaccine
Appointments are preferred.
Please call 562-826-5151 from 7:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. to schedule or ask for a vaccine at your next appointment.
VA Long Beach Vaccination Center Location and hours:
- Drop-ins welcome!
- Building 164, 3rd Floor, Conference Room 328
- Open Monday- Friday (no holidays) from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Closed for lunch from noon to 1:00 p.m. daily.
- Saturday Clinics on 9/28/2024 and 10/5/2024 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Closed for lunch from noon to 1:00 p.m.
Who is eligible for the flu vaccine?
- All enrolled Veterans over age 18
- Standard dose flu vaccines are recommended for everyone age 18-64.
- High dose flu vaccines are recommended for everyone age 65 and older.
- High dose flu vaccines are also recommended for Veterans age 18-64 with solid organ transplants and taking immunosuppressive medications. Please request an order from your provider for a high dose flu vaccine.
Who is eligible for the COVID vaccine?
- Veterans who have never received a COVID-19 vaccine
- If it has been at least 2 months since receiving the 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine
- Veterans age 65 and older will only need one dose of the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine
Can Veterans get flu and COVID-19 vaccines in the community?
Yes! As part of the Urgent Care and Pharmacy benefits through the Community Care Network, eligible Veterans can receive free flu and COVID-19 vaccines now.
In-network providers can be located using VA Locator. Please call to confirm that the urgent care or pharmacy is participating in the program. Bring 1) a valid state issued ID and 2) current VA ID to the appointment.
 
 Veterans, it’s okay to ask for help. If you or a Veteran you know needs support, don’t wait. Reach out. Check out resources to help across life’s challenges. #SPM24 #VetsReachOut
 
 Are you ready to make a difference? Join us at VA Long Beach's Suicide Prevention Awareness Month on September 24, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Patriot Cafe Patio Area and discover how YOU can help prevent suicide. Come by and learn the S.A.V.E. steps to assist someone in crisis. Plus, we've got refreshments and giveaways. Let's come together and make a positive impact on our community. See you there!
 Please join us for the 11th annual White Cane Safety Day celebration in Stars and Stripes Plaza.
White Cane obstacle course, food and beverages beginning at 10:30 a.m. in Stars and Stripes Plaza. Ceremony begins at 11:15 a.m. with a White Cane campus march to follow!
 
When: Saturday, October 5, 2024 | 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Where: Los Angeles National Cemetery, 950 South Sepulveda Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90049
The UCLA Veteran Resource Center and the UCLA ROTC programs, along with members of the community, have supported the Los Angeles National Cemetery (LANC) in this annual service program. During this event, participants help to clean the headstone that mark the grave site of our nations service members. The 2024 event is on Saturday October 5 at 8am and finishes at 11am, This event is open to all UCLA students, faculty, and staff, as well as anyone from the greater Los Angeles community who would like to honor Veterans and their families.
RSVP today
 
 Are you a Veteran but you're not sure where to start with the VA? Check out the VA Resource Navigator, a short, sweet combination of all the most valuable resources to get you started on your way to VA benefits and health care.
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MyVA411
The VA Podcast Network offers a diverse selection of top-quality podcasts made with a Veteran community in mind. Each podcast specializes on a different topic and covers gripping content that no Veteran should want to miss out on.
Work with us!
Find VA Long Beach Healthcare System jobs on USA Jobs.
Find out how to work with us in other ways!
VA Caregiver Support Line
1-855-260-3274 toll-free
Disclaimer of Endorsement:
Reference herein to any specific commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government, and shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes.
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